Are You Caught Up In The Hoopla Or Watching What They Don’t Want Us To See?

Slight of hand is alive and well, or at least what passes for the same when it comes to the Liberal Media. As if it wasn’t bad enough trying to listen for tidbits of truth from politicians, speech taken out of context, out and out lies from sources most don’t even recognize.

There are several issues at hand when it comes to what has been labeled “News” these days. Headlines are written in such a way as to be just short of libelous, in an effort to create the scandal, character assassination, or any ruse that will garner more viewers or advertisers.

How many times have we heard news making a claim, that on closer review had no foundation at all? That, or a deliberate distortion of the facts, which according to some sources media outlets claim the FCC ruling over broadcast of false information is only a ruling, but not a criminal offense, therefore giving them the right to broadcast the news in any way they see fit.

Whether or not the last part is true, based on the proliferation of fake news sites, and misrepresentation of statements and comments made by public figures, it has gotten to the point now more than ever in the past, where news media is in the majority, untrustworthy.

Below is a list of the top, not all, fake news sites constantly spreading outright lies and distortions, some admittedly and others not so, by snopes.com.

Following is wordage found on the FCC site as it relates to broadcasting false information. This just seems to give more leeway to those who are inclined to create faux news sites to further fill social media with their trash.

the licensee knows the information is false; and
the licensee knows beforehand that broadcasting the information will cause substantial “public harm.” (a great deal is assumed here, as how easy is it to claim no knowledge of the impact beforehand) The public harm: (1) must begin immediately and cause direct and actual damage to property or the health or safety of the general public; or (2) divert law enforcement or public health and safety authorities from their duties.

Disclaimers

If a broadcast licensee uses a disclaimer that clearly characterizes the program as fiction, and the disclaimer is presented in a way that is reasonable under the circumstances, the program will be presumed not to pose foreseeable public harm.*

Here is a link that supposedly deals with false or information that misrepresents information over any broadcast media. Notice the broad characteristics of the supposed penalties, and the ridiculous monetary amounts that would be paid. This is of special interest when taken into account how a broadcaster could benefit well beyond the supposed penalty or fine by way of advertising revenue and such.

So here we are as a public, assaulted by so much trash that tries to pass as news, you have to wonder what is going on behind the scenes? For such a laxness in regulating the media in general, it seems this is used as a shield to hide whatever is really happening that we don’t see.

What laws are being passed in congress that goes against the public interest, that even when reported gets pushed down to the level of unimportant events. Headlines that aren’t drastic or scandalous enough, to get our attention and by design.

How many times have you been embarrassed by forwarding or sharing an email or urgent message from someone that was proven to be a hoax or just completely fake? Fess up, because you’re not alone.

People that should know better have fallen victim on occasion, as well as the generally naive. So following is a list of the top three “myth busters” where you can get down to the facts about anything that sounds too good to be true, or just too outrageous.

These were discovered on a site listing the top 10 sites to help debunk the junk! Check this out for more information on the various sites and their reliability.

Scandalous, outrageous information is what a negative mind feeds on, rather than what’s true, honest, uplifting and just plain good. No, I’m not preaching here, and even many of those today resort to the previous. Want some good news? Then check out goodnewsnetwork.org for information that will make your day better. If it doesn’t, then you need what Zig Ziglar calls a “checkup from the neck up!”

Alan is retired and resides in Quito, Ecuador. Writing is a passion which has resulted in two eBooks thus far, with more in the works. Married 47 years with four sons and 13 grandchildren, provides potential grist for the mill! Alan is a charter "Boomer", a Viet Nam veteran, committed to roasting his own coffee and writes about whatever pops into his mind. He loves to build and ride recumbent bikes, play racquetball, writes almost daily, travels Ecuador, and talks to anything that does not move fast enough! The twinkle in his eye is a combination of the sun, and an active sense of humor.
His desire to encourage others to write is being answered through his articles on the Internet.